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Hair Tutorial: Relaxed Chignon

by KC Miller | Dec 21, 2016 | Beauty

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Looking for a soft, feminine hair style for medium to long length hair? This relaxed chignon has a romantic feel and is extremely easy to do. It is a simple up do that requires very little hair styling skill to get really great results.

For this style, you will need: bobby pins, a hair tie or elastic (optional), and a Lila Rose flexiclip (also optional, but really adds to the overall look).

Step 1:

If you have straight hair with little to no texture, tease the hair at the crown of your head before gathering it and pulling it back. If you’re like me and have curly hair with plenty of texture, skip this step.

Step 2:

Gather the hair above your ears. Pull back loosely and pin with bobby pins. Keep it very loose and voluminous. I like to give it a little twist before pinning.

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Step 3:

Gather the rest of your hair in a loose pony tail at the base of the neck. You can secure it in an elastic or hair tie, but I find if you use a flexiclip, an elastic is unnecessary.

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Step 4:

Loosely twist the length of your hair, then coil it around the base of the pony tail you just made. Secure with bobby pins or a flexiclip. To use a flexiclip, open the clip, slide the pin under one side of the coiled hair and through to the other side, and latch the clip front over the end of the pin.

Step 5:

Adjust the hair to get the overall effect you want. Pull a few strands loose in the front to frame your face and give a romantic look. Finish off with a bit of hairspray if you like (I never use hairspray on this style. I find the flexiclip works great to hold my hair in place all day.)

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Seems easy enough, right? This quick, simple hairstyle looks elegant and pretty. Have fun trying out this style!

Makeup Tips for Girls Who Wear Glasses

by KC Miller | Dec 14, 2016 | Beauty

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I’ve worn glasses since I was 10 years old. Back then (you know, in the old days….), it wasn’t as trendy to wear glasses as it has become in recent years. Glasses wearing girls like me have been cheering the fashionable styles available today. It makes wearing specs so much more enjoyable.

Though I usually wear contact lenses, I do occasionally need or want to wear my glasses. When I do, I like to apply my makeup accordingly.

It’s always a good idea to adjust your makeup wearing techniques to accommodate the affect glasses have on your face.

If you wear glasses and you’re not sure the best way to apply your makeup with them, I think I can help. Here are a few makeup tips I’ve learned that may help my fellow glasses-wearing gals out there.

Tip #1—Brighten up the under eye area

Glasses tend to cast a shadow on the under eye area. Make sure you lighten this area with a concealer or corrector (or both) first. Don’t forget to set the concealer, and be sure to use one that won’t crease.

Tip #2—Groom your brows

Be sure to groom your eyebrows well. Glasses bring attention to the brows. Impeccably groomed brows are important for keeping your overall look polished and tidy. Brush your brows up so they sit above your frames and fill in any sparse areas so they’re nice and neat. Frame those frames with perfect brows!

Tip #3—Keep your eyeshadow shades neutral

Neutral shades of eyeshadow highlight the lids without bringing heaviness or darkness to an already shaded area. Darker eyeshadow drags the lid down and makes the eye seem smaller. Neutral or lighter shades open up the eyes.

Tip #4—Perfect your eyeliner

Apply eyeliner very carefully. Glasses will act as a magnifier on your eyeliner, so make sure you do as precise a job as possible. Any spaces between the liner and your lashes will really show up, so be very careful to line nice and close to your lashes.

Tip #5—Volumize your lashes

Definitely wear mascara with your glasses. However, it’s important to choose the right kind. Lengthening mascaras can cause your lashes to be too long; they may end up brushing against your lenses, which can pretty annoying. A good volumizing mascara can plump your lashes and open up your eyes. Just avoid any formulas that might clump, as any clumping with really show up behind your lenses.

Tip #6—Blush should be natural

A lot of heavy contouring could be distracting from your beautiful eyes. Keep your blush natural and let your eyes (and those fashionable frames) shine.

Tip #7—Wear a bold lip…or not

Try wearing a bolder lip color with your glasses to bring balance to your look. However, a neutral lip works just as well. Just be sure to wear some sort of lip color. It’s important to complete your overall makeup look with a flattering lip color, something that compliments the color of your frames.

Wearing glasses can be fashionable and beautiful. Enhance those specs with the right makeup techniques and you’ll look absolutely gorgeous!

How to Create Your Own Spa at Home (and a Giveaway!)

by KC Miller | Dec 5, 2016 | Beauty, Lifestyle

Why You Need to Create a Spa at Home

This time of year can be especially hectic and busy. As women in particular, we are prone to ignore our own needs for rest and rejuvenation. We may ignore signs that our bodies need relaxation and restoration. However, doing this for too long can lead to exhaustion and possible burn out.

Running around in a constant state of busyness and stress can take a toll. It’s important to find ways to refresh ourselves and relieve any stress that may have built up in our bodies.

If you find yourself harried and in need of a respite, but you can’t afford a trip to the spa, I have an idea for you. Why not create your own spa experience at home? You may not be able to have a full body massage or sit in a sauna, but there are many other things you can do at home to give that feeling of rejuvenation a visit to the spa brings.

Use a facial mask

Apply a facial mask of some kind, whether it is a clay mask, a sheet mask, or some other kind. Stress and exhaustion can be really bad for the skin, so taking the time to use a restorative mask can really help moisturize and repair your skin. Sheet masks can be fun. If you’ve never used one, it’s an interesting experience.

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Here is a good one to try.

Take a bubble bath

Maybe this one seems obvious, but a good old fashioned hot bubble bath can do wonders for relaxing the mind and body. Light some candles, turn on some soft, relaxing music, and have a nice, long soak. I like to add essential oils and epsom salts to my bath water, but a bath bomb or scented bath salts are a nice option as well.

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Some of my personal favorites are lavender essential oil and Spongelle bath sponges.

Moisturize

A pleasant smelling moisturizing oil or lotion can be soothing to the skin after a bath. I love lavender scented lotions. Slather it all over the skin for a nice pampered feeling.

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Aveeno has a really nice one.

Give yourself a mani/pedi

Take the time to clean, file, and paint your nails. Use a pumice stone on your heels. Apply oil to your cuticles. Even if you’re doing it yourself, the results will make you feel pampered and special. You’ll be glad you took the time to do this.

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My favorite brand of nail polish right now is Wet ’n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel polish. For a polish that doesn’t require curing under a light, it’s quite durable.

If you’re feeling frazzled and in need of some rest and relaxation, take the time to create a spa experience for yourself right at home. It will do wonders for your mind and body.

And now, it’s giveaway time!

One very special winner will receive a Create Your Own Spa at Home kit! I’ve curated all of my personal favorite at home spa items for you, ones I know you’ll love, too. Be sure to enter for your chance to win this kit. (It could also make a great gift for someone special in your life.)

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The giveaway will run for ten days and the winner will be chosen at random at the close of the giveaway.

To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. Thanks for entering!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links. Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Deal With Wintertime Dry Skin

by KC Miller | Nov 30, 2016 | Beauty

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Winter weather brings with it cold, harsh wind and dry indoor air. With these come dry skin, at least for most of us. Wintertime dry skin can be hard to deal with. Also, as our skin ages, it becomes more and more prone to being dryer in winter.

There are a number of ways to combat the dry skin wintertime may bring. Here are a few.

1. Moisturize

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This may seem obvious, but it bears mentioning, mainly because it’s one I personally tend to forget to do as regularly as I should. Slather yourself up with moisturizer after a shower. Rub some in after you wash your hands. Keep some handy throughout the day to manage into your hands when they are feeling especially dry. (My favorite moisturizer right now is Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Lotion.)

2. Humidify

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Keep a humidifier running in your home. If you heat your home with wood, this is essential. With any kind of heating system, it is important to keep the air in your home humidified throughout the winter months. Your skin will not be as dry, and it will help keep dry eyes and sinuses at bay as well. (This is the humidifier we use.)

3. Hydrate

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Drink plenty of water. Hydrating on the inside will help keep the outside (your skin) from being too dry as well. Hydration is extremely important for our overall health and wellbeing, yet most people do not drink nearly enough water.

To know if you’re drinking enough, calculate half your body weight in ounces. For instance, if you weight 140 pounds, you should drink 70 ounces of water a day. That’s a lot of water, and that’s only a starting point—a number to aim for. Ideally, you should be drinking even more than that.

Some results of drinking enough water could be: clear, hydrated skin, more energy, weight loss, and fewer cravings. Try drinking more water and see what happens.

Wintertime dry skin can be a challenge, but these strategies can help combat it.

Do you have any tips for dealing with dry skin? If so, please leave a comment and share them. I’d love to hear more ideas for how to keep dry skin at bay this winter!

10 Must-Have Drugstore Beauty Finds

by KC Miller | Nov 9, 2016 | Beauty

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I’m a drugstore makeup kind of gal. Don’t get me wrong—high end beauty items are wonderful, but a $25 eyeliner is not very realistic if you’re on a tight budget. Know what I mean?

In recent years, the quality of drugstore makeup has really improved. It’s not hard to discover really amazing beauty finds at really great prices.

Here is a list of 10 makeup items from the drugstore I use and love. Many of these items are ones I use on a daily basis. If you try them, I think you’ll find you love them, too.

1. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer

This stuff works wonders. I have dark patches on my forehead and around my eyes due to melasma, and this concealer actually covers those patches quite well. It’s a rich, moisturizing formula that goes on smoothly and blends easily. I really like the applicator as well.

2. Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer

The shade of this bronzer is perfect for my fair complexion. It works great as a subtle contour or to bring some warmth and color to the complexion. Plus, it smells amazing! It’s like sniffing a tropical vacation.

3. Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Powerless Translucent Pressed Powder

This powder goes on lightly, has a nice sheer consistency and doesn’t get caked up after you’ve worn it for a while. I wears well and lasts for hours.

4. Covergirl Super Sizer Mascara

If you want gorgeous, voluminous lashes with one application, you have to try this mascara. It never clumps and it’s ophthalmologist approved (which is important if you’re like me and wear contact lenses).

5. Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Blush Basin

This lipstick is a beautiful mauve color. It’s the perfect “your lips but better” shade. The formula is rich and smooth and it goes on easily. Staying power is pretty good. And I like that the ingredients are fairly good for the most part.

6. Elf Makeup Brushes

These brushes are such high quality, it’s hard to believe they cost so little. Most makeup brushes this cheap are junk, but Elf’s brushes are extremely well made. You never have to worry about them shedding and they are so soft.

7. Wet ’n Wild Clear Brow Gel

This stuff is so cheap, yet it gets the job done. No worries about flaking or crustiness. Just a good strong hold throughout the day.

8. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal

This is a cream blush that is on the dryer side, which makes application so easy. It goes on and blends into the skin like a dream. The color is a nice fresh pink that gives a beautiful flush to the cheeks without looking to obvious.

9. Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation

For a drugstore foundation, this one has staying power! The coverage is great and it blends into the skin nicely.

10. Revlon Superlustrous lipstick in any shade

A classic that has been around for decades, this lipstick is a definite must try. The formula goes on smooth and looks beautiful. It feels comfortable to wear—not slippery or sticky. And the shade selection is huge!

Do you have any drugstore beauty favorites I didn’t mention? Please feel free to share them in the comments below.

Also, be sure to check out my giveaway! One winner will receive a beautiful plaid blanket scarf just like my own favorite scarf. Enter to win here.

Fall Lifestyle Favorites (and a Giveaway!)

by KC Miller | Nov 7, 2016 | Beauty, Fashion, Home & Family, Lifestyle

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I can’t believe we are already almost a week into November. Where in the world did the month of October go? In this post, I’d like to share a few of the things I’ve been using and loving in recent weeks.

Without further ado, here is my list of favorites from this fall.

Fashion

1. Blanket Scarf

A blanket scarf is the perfect fall accessory. This scarf is so soft and cozy, wearing it is like cuddling in a blanket all day long. (Hmmm, I guess that’s why it’s called a blanket scarf…) If you missed it, you might want to check out my previous post on 5 Ways to Wear a Blanket Scarf. It’s always fun to get creative with your accessories.

2. Taupe Booties from Natural Breeze

I ordered these pretty little booties from Zulily recently and I’m really loving them. They’re just so cute! I haven’t been a real fan of the bootie craze in the past, but when I found these little cuties, I knew I was going to become a convert. They are so easy to style with so many different looks. As a bonus, they’re actually comfortable.

Beauty

3. Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Blush Basin

This lipstick has become my go-to lip color. I wear it almost everyday. It is such a beautiful mauve color. It’s the perfect “your lips but better” shade. The formula is rich and smooth and it goes on easily. Staying power is pretty good. And I like that the ingredients are fairly good (as in, natural and not full of harmful ingredients).

Food

4. Caramel Apple Rooibos Tea from The Republic of Tea

As I mentioned in a previous post, this is my absolute favorite tea for fall. Really, I could drink this tea anytime of year, but it’s only available for a limited time each year. So, I enjoy it while I can and spend the rest of the year looking forward to its deliciousness.

Books

5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

I recently finished reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and I must tell you, it blew my mind. This book has been around for a while and is fairly well known (it is considered a classic in certain circles), though I had never read anything quite like it before. Maybe the content of this book won’t be that revolutionary for other people who read it, but for me, it was simply eye-opening in so many ways. It gave me a whole new perspective on finances, making money, and what it means to be successful.

For the Home

6. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Dish Soap

Believe it or not, I actually like to wash dishes. (Which I guess is a good thing, since, with a family of 10, we create a lot of dirty dishes.) The only thing I don’t like about dishes is the damage most brands of dishwashing soap can do to my hands. I hate wearing rubber gloves to wash the dishes. With my sensitive skin, this creates a problem, especially in the winter months when my skin tends to be even drier than usual. The solution, I’ve recently found, is Mrs. Meyers Dish Soap. My favorite is the basil scented one. The formula is much gentler on my hands than most other dish soaps. And the basil scent makes me happy.

I’d love to hear some of your recent favorites from this fall. Please feel free to share in the comments.

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And now, It’s giveaway time!

I’m so excited to be hosting this giveaway. The winner will receive their very own beautiful plaid blanket scarf, exactly like the one pictured here! To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway will run for 10 days. I will contact the winner by email within 24 hours of the close of the contest.

I can’t wait to see who wins this gorgeous scarf!